ARE FIREWORKS LEGAL IN MARYLAND?
Fireworks are restricted in Maryland.
Consumer fireworks are restricted in Maryland. Only sparklers, snakes, and ground-based fountains are legal. Aerial fireworks are banned.
📅 WHEN CAN YOU USE FIREWORKS?
Year-round for sparklers, novelties, and ground-based sparkler devices (the only items legal for consumer use)
No statewide time restrictions on the limited items that are legal
Almost all consumer fireworks are banned in Maryland. Only gold-label sparklers (no chlorates/perchlorates), ground-based sparkling devices, paper snappers (<0.03 grains), snakes, and toy caps are legal at the state level per Public Safety Article §10-101(f). Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County ban ALL fireworks including sparklers. Harford County, Howard County, and Ocean City ban ground-based sparkler devices. Professional display fireworks require a permit from the State Fire Marshal per PS §10-104.
🎆 WHAT'S LEGAL IN MARYLAND?
Bottle rockets, Roman candles, mortars, 500g cakes
All aerial consumer fireworks are illegal. MD Public Safety §10-101(f) and §10-110.
Fountains, cones, wheels, ground spinners
Only 'ground-based sparkling devices' that are non-aerial and non-explosive are legal. Must be labeled per CPSC requirements. Banned in Ocean City, Harford, and Howard counties. PS §10-101(f)(2)(iv).
Gold-label sparklers, snaps, poppers, snakes
Only gold-label sparklers (no chlorates/perchlorates), paper snappers (<0.03 grains), and snakes are legal. Banned entirely in Baltimore City, Montgomery Co., and Prince George's Co. PS §10-101(f)(2).
Firecrackers, strings
All firecrackers are illegal in Maryland. PS §10-101(f).
Spinning aerial devices
All aerial devices are illegal for consumer use.
Any DIY, altered, or reloaded fireworks
Illegal. Subject to all criminal penalties under PS Title 10.
📋 KEY RULES
16 (PS §10-112)
No specific state minimum to use, but children should not handle sparklers per fire marshal guidance
Gold-label sparklers, ground-based sparkler devices, paper snappers, snakes, toy caps only — in jurisdictions that allow them
Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Prince George's County (ALL fireworks banned); Ocean City, Harford County, Howard County (ground-based sparklers also banned)
Required from State Fire Marshal for any fireworks display. PS §10-104.
⚖️ PENALTIES
Discharge or possession of fireworks without permit
Misdemeanor — fine up to $250 for possession/discharge. PS §10-110.
Sale of fireworks without permit
Misdemeanor — fine up to $1,000. PS §10-110(b).
Selling sparklers/sparkling devices to person under 16
Misdemeanor — fine up to $1,000. PS §10-112.
Possession with intent to discharge (Frederick County example)
$500 civil citation and/or criminal penalties; each firework is a separate offense.
Violations seized and forfeited
Fireworks confiscated and turned over to State Fire Marshal for disposal. PS §10-111.